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| Australia news live update: Victoria and Qld record first cases of Omicron Covid variant; TGA provisionally approves Moderna booster shot | Australia news live update: Victoria and Qld record first cases of Omicron Covid variant; TGA provisionally approves Moderna booster shot |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Five people on board a Sydney Harbour cruise on Friday night have tested positive to Covid, with two likely the new variant. Follow all the day’s news | Five people on board a Sydney Harbour cruise on Friday night have tested positive to Covid, with two likely the new variant. Follow all the day’s news |
| The Victorian government earlier today announced it would invest $16.3m into youth mental health infrastructure. | |
| The Andrews government will work towards providing one-on-one mental health support to young people, saying that more than 560 additional Victorians between 12 and 25 years old will be helped by mobile outreach teams. | |
| The hopes are that mobile teams will meet young people where they feel comfortable, to reach them instead of asking them to seek services themselves. | |
| Deputy premier and mental health minister, James Merlino, said the investment reflected the challenges facing young people, especially with the disruption caused by the pandemic. | |
| Western Australian premier Mark McGowan has dismissed the idea his state needs to rebuild its reputation with the east coast, labelling any such ideas as a “rubbish argument” perpetuated by commentators “trying to find column inches and create stories”. | Western Australian premier Mark McGowan has dismissed the idea his state needs to rebuild its reputation with the east coast, labelling any such ideas as a “rubbish argument” perpetuated by commentators “trying to find column inches and create stories”. |
| Speaking to reporters earlier today, McGowan was bullish about his state’s popularity outside of its border, after two years of strict border closures: | Speaking to reporters earlier today, McGowan was bullish about his state’s popularity outside of its border, after two years of strict border closures: |
| He also addressed the loss of the fifth Ashes test, which was stripped of Perth due to border closures, saying cricket had been unwilling to abide by the states rules: | He also addressed the loss of the fifth Ashes test, which was stripped of Perth due to border closures, saying cricket had been unwilling to abide by the states rules: |
| Australia’s fertility rate has dropped again, with new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showing a decrease of 3.7% from 2019. | Australia’s fertility rate has dropped again, with new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showing a decrease of 3.7% from 2019. |
| It resulted in registered births dropping below 300,000 for the first time in 14 years. | It resulted in registered births dropping below 300,000 for the first time in 14 years. |
| The data revealed longer term trends such as a reduction in the number of younger women having children, while the number of those aged between 40 and 44 giving birth has tripled in recent decades. | The data revealed longer term trends such as a reduction in the number of younger women having children, while the number of those aged between 40 and 44 giving birth has tripled in recent decades. |
| The decline in the fertility rate was largest among women aged 15-19 years, decreasing by nearly two-thirds to 7.8 per 1,000 women. Babies born to women aged 40-44 almost tripled, to 15.2 per 1,000 women. | The decline in the fertility rate was largest among women aged 15-19 years, decreasing by nearly two-thirds to 7.8 per 1,000 women. Babies born to women aged 40-44 almost tripled, to 15.2 per 1,000 women. |
| You can read more in Peter Hannam’s story, linked below: | You can read more in Peter Hannam’s story, linked below: |
| On the topic of Djokovic, I just wanted to pull some lines from Elias Visontay’s story, linked below, with Tennis Australia completely denying they would be seeking an exemption for the world number 1, and sticking to their decision to exclude any unvaccinated players or staff. | On the topic of Djokovic, I just wanted to pull some lines from Elias Visontay’s story, linked below, with Tennis Australia completely denying they would be seeking an exemption for the world number 1, and sticking to their decision to exclude any unvaccinated players or staff. |
| Novak Djokovic has been included in the Australian Open’s draw, amid speculation about the Serbian’s eligibility to enter the country. | Novak Djokovic has been included in the Australian Open’s draw, amid speculation about the Serbian’s eligibility to enter the country. |
| Djokovic’s name features in the Australian Open 2022 main draw player list released by Tennis Australia this afternoon, hours after the organisation hit back at suggestions it was seeking to exploit a “loophole” in border entry rules so unvaccinated players can compete in the January tournament. | Djokovic’s name features in the Australian Open 2022 main draw player list released by Tennis Australia this afternoon, hours after the organisation hit back at suggestions it was seeking to exploit a “loophole” in border entry rules so unvaccinated players can compete in the January tournament. |
| The world No 1 has repeatedly refused to reveal his vaccination status, and on Wednesday morning, Victoria’s deputy premier, James Merlino, responded to a report that the world No 1 had the backing of Tennis Australia – the organisers of the Open – to apply for an exemption on medical grounds. | The world No 1 has repeatedly refused to reveal his vaccination status, and on Wednesday morning, Victoria’s deputy premier, James Merlino, responded to a report that the world No 1 had the backing of Tennis Australia – the organisers of the Open – to apply for an exemption on medical grounds. |
| “My view on this is really clear and really simple,” Merlino said on Wednesday. “Everyone’s looking forward to the Australian Open and everyone who will attend – spectators, players, officials, staff – everyone is expected to be fully vaccinated.”“They’re the rules. Medical exemptions are just that – it’s not a loophole for privileged tennis players … It is a medical exemption in exceptional circumstances if you have an acute medical condition,” Merlino said.Tennis Australia, in a statement released later on Wednesday that did not mention Djokovic by name, said “all players, participants and staff at the Australian Open have to be vaccinated”.“Any suggestion that Tennis Australia is seeking ‘loopholes’ within this process is simply untrue. Adjudicating on medical exemptions is the domain of independent medical experts. We are not in a position to influence this process and nor would we.” | “My view on this is really clear and really simple,” Merlino said on Wednesday. “Everyone’s looking forward to the Australian Open and everyone who will attend – spectators, players, officials, staff – everyone is expected to be fully vaccinated.”“They’re the rules. Medical exemptions are just that – it’s not a loophole for privileged tennis players … It is a medical exemption in exceptional circumstances if you have an acute medical condition,” Merlino said.Tennis Australia, in a statement released later on Wednesday that did not mention Djokovic by name, said “all players, participants and staff at the Australian Open have to be vaccinated”.“Any suggestion that Tennis Australia is seeking ‘loopholes’ within this process is simply untrue. Adjudicating on medical exemptions is the domain of independent medical experts. We are not in a position to influence this process and nor would we.” |
| On Tuesday, Djokovic was announced as part of the Serbia team competing in the ATP Cup in Sydney in early January, fuelling speculation he could seek to enter the country via New South Wales, and may seek a medical exemption to circumvent the rules that apply to unvaccinated travellers. | On Tuesday, Djokovic was announced as part of the Serbia team competing in the ATP Cup in Sydney in early January, fuelling speculation he could seek to enter the country via New South Wales, and may seek a medical exemption to circumvent the rules that apply to unvaccinated travellers. |
| You can read more about Djokovic and vaccination status for the Australian Open here: | You can read more about Djokovic and vaccination status for the Australian Open here: |
| Bonza, the new ultra-low-cost airline set to take to Australian skies from mid next year, has unveiled plans to grow to a fleet of eight aircraft within its first 12 months of operating. | Bonza, the new ultra-low-cost airline set to take to Australian skies from mid next year, has unveiled plans to grow to a fleet of eight aircraft within its first 12 months of operating. |
| Speaking at the Centre for Aviation (Capa) summit in Sydney on Wednesday, Bonza chief executive Tim Jordan explained the airline – which plans to establish new routes between larger cities and regional holiday destinations and mostly avoid flights between capital cities – will operate eight Boeing 737-8 MAX planes across 40 different routes in its first year. | Speaking at the Centre for Aviation (Capa) summit in Sydney on Wednesday, Bonza chief executive Tim Jordan explained the airline – which plans to establish new routes between larger cities and regional holiday destinations and mostly avoid flights between capital cities – will operate eight Boeing 737-8 MAX planes across 40 different routes in its first year. |
| Jordan said about 40 regional airports had expressed an interest in being among Bonza’s initial destinations, with flights set to begin in the second quarter of 2022 pending regulatory approval. | Jordan said about 40 regional airports had expressed an interest in being among Bonza’s initial destinations, with flights set to begin in the second quarter of 2022 pending regulatory approval. |
| Budgie smugglers and bikinis bearing the airline’s purple branding will be among merchandise sold on board each Bonza flight, Jordan said, noting he expects an onboard atmosphere shaped by “holidaymakers, bachelor parties, leisure and fun”. | Budgie smugglers and bikinis bearing the airline’s purple branding will be among merchandise sold on board each Bonza flight, Jordan said, noting he expects an onboard atmosphere shaped by “holidaymakers, bachelor parties, leisure and fun”. |
| Jordan said the airline will achieve ultra-low-cost fares by only flying three or four frequencies per week on routes that aren’t currently operated by other carriers, and will target only leisure travellers. “(We’ll be) connecting points A and C without an inconvenient stop at B,” he said. | Jordan said the airline will achieve ultra-low-cost fares by only flying three or four frequencies per week on routes that aren’t currently operated by other carriers, and will target only leisure travellers. “(We’ll be) connecting points A and C without an inconvenient stop at B,” he said. |
| He said the first destinations would be regional councils and airports who can see the “bigger picture” in drawing in new domestic tourists, suggesting Bonza would be seeking to negotiate cheaper airport fees. | He said the first destinations would be regional councils and airports who can see the “bigger picture” in drawing in new domestic tourists, suggesting Bonza would be seeking to negotiate cheaper airport fees. |
| Jordan, in a discussion about the benefits of the under-construction western Sydney airport, also raised the idea of opening up Bankstown airport – a metropolitan airport in Sydney that caters to flight schools and charter operations – to more passenger operations to become the city’s third airport. | Jordan, in a discussion about the benefits of the under-construction western Sydney airport, also raised the idea of opening up Bankstown airport – a metropolitan airport in Sydney that caters to flight schools and charter operations – to more passenger operations to become the city’s third airport. |
| “The more airports the better. If there could be three airports in Sydney, beautiful. Beautiful absolutely,” he said. | “The more airports the better. If there could be three airports in Sydney, beautiful. Beautiful absolutely,” he said. |
| You can read more about Bonza here: | You can read more about Bonza here: |
| Richard Marles, deputy opposition leader and shadow employment minister is on the ABC’s Afternoon Briefing, and is having an interesting conversation on vaccine mandates. | Richard Marles, deputy opposition leader and shadow employment minister is on the ABC’s Afternoon Briefing, and is having an interesting conversation on vaccine mandates. |
| He was first asked what he made of the anti-vaccination protests in Melbourne, and how Labor would “engage” with the protesters: | He was first asked what he made of the anti-vaccination protests in Melbourne, and how Labor would “engage” with the protesters: |
| Marles is then asked his thoughts on vaccine mandates in the workplace, and uses the question to condemn the leadership of the government during the rollout: | Marles is then asked his thoughts on vaccine mandates in the workplace, and uses the question to condemn the leadership of the government during the rollout: |
| In what is becoming increasingly common, thunderstorms are forecast for Sydney (again), in addition to potential flash flooding, hail and damaging winds: | In what is becoming increasingly common, thunderstorms are forecast for Sydney (again), in addition to potential flash flooding, hail and damaging winds: |
| Brisbane - the host city of the 2032 Olympic Games - says it will not send civic representatives to Beijing. | Brisbane - the host city of the 2032 Olympic Games - says it will not send civic representatives to Beijing. |
| The Queensland premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, earlier said state officials would abide by the federal diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Beijing Winter Games. | The Queensland premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, earlier said state officials would abide by the federal diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Beijing Winter Games. |
| A Brisbane City Council spokesman said: | A Brisbane City Council spokesman said: |
| The prime minister’s office has condemned the actions of a staffer working for federal Liberal MP Andrew Laming, calling their choice to dress up as Kyle Rittenhouse, the teenager who was last month acquitted on all charges after shooting dead two Black Lives Matter protesters last year, for a delayed Halloween party as “completely inappropriate”. | The prime minister’s office has condemned the actions of a staffer working for federal Liberal MP Andrew Laming, calling their choice to dress up as Kyle Rittenhouse, the teenager who was last month acquitted on all charges after shooting dead two Black Lives Matter protesters last year, for a delayed Halloween party as “completely inappropriate”. |
| Today the Guardian revealed that electoral officer Barclay McGain – who was sacked (and later rehired) by Lamming over a controversial schoolies video that denigrated Indigenous Australians – had posted a photo of himself on Facebook holding a gel blaster gun that bears resemblance to an assault rifle, dressed as US teen Kyle Rittenhouse on the night he killed two men during protests for racial justice in Wisconsin last year. Rittenhouse was last month cleared of all charges related to these deaths and the injury of another man after his lawyers argued he acted in self-defence. | Today the Guardian revealed that electoral officer Barclay McGain – who was sacked (and later rehired) by Lamming over a controversial schoolies video that denigrated Indigenous Australians – had posted a photo of himself on Facebook holding a gel blaster gun that bears resemblance to an assault rifle, dressed as US teen Kyle Rittenhouse on the night he killed two men during protests for racial justice in Wisconsin last year. Rittenhouse was last month cleared of all charges related to these deaths and the injury of another man after his lawyers argued he acted in self-defence. |
| A federal government spokesman said McGain behaviour was “completely inappropriate and the prime minister’s office has contacted Mr Laming to raise its serious concerns and options for further action”. | A federal government spokesman said McGain behaviour was “completely inappropriate and the prime minister’s office has contacted Mr Laming to raise its serious concerns and options for further action”. |
| The employment of electoral staff is the responsibility of individual MPs, and while McGain used to be a member of the Liberal party he resigned after being suspended in relation to the schoolies video. | The employment of electoral staff is the responsibility of individual MPs, and while McGain used to be a member of the Liberal party he resigned after being suspended in relation to the schoolies video. |
| When contacted by Guardian Australia, McGain said he was “not particularly worried” that the costume would affect his employment status, as it was outside work hours and Rittenhouse had been found not guilty. He said that costume was for a delayed Halloween party, was designed to entertain people and that “The notion that I was impersonating a murderer or glorifying a murderer, I just don’t think it stacks up.” | When contacted by Guardian Australia, McGain said he was “not particularly worried” that the costume would affect his employment status, as it was outside work hours and Rittenhouse had been found not guilty. He said that costume was for a delayed Halloween party, was designed to entertain people and that “The notion that I was impersonating a murderer or glorifying a murderer, I just don’t think it stacks up.” |
| In the 2009 schoolies video, McGain interviewed school leavers about whether the Australian flag should be changed and was seen laughing when one school leaver said: “I mean we’ve got to stop celebrating a culture that couldn’t even invent the bloody wheel for God’s sake. We’ve got to start enjoying and living in western culture.” | In the 2009 schoolies video, McGain interviewed school leavers about whether the Australian flag should be changed and was seen laughing when one school leaver said: “I mean we’ve got to stop celebrating a culture that couldn’t even invent the bloody wheel for God’s sake. We’ve got to start enjoying and living in western culture.” |
| You can read the full coverage of the story below: | You can read the full coverage of the story below: |
| Federal health minister Greg Hunt has announced the TGA has approved Moderna booster shots for anyone over the age of 18. | Federal health minister Greg Hunt has announced the TGA has approved Moderna booster shots for anyone over the age of 18. |
| It still needs approval from Atagi, but Hunt has welcomed the decision: | It still needs approval from Atagi, but Hunt has welcomed the decision: |
| South Australia has recorded three new Covid cases today, a man in his 60s and two women in their 30s and 50s. | South Australia has recorded three new Covid cases today, a man in his 60s and two women in their 30s and 50s. |
| Of the three cases, one is locally acquired infection, a close contact linked to the Norwood cluster. | Of the three cases, one is locally acquired infection, a close contact linked to the Norwood cluster. |
| Another acquired their infection interstate, while the last case acquired their infection overseas, and has been in hotel quarantine since their arrival. | Another acquired their infection interstate, while the last case acquired their infection overseas, and has been in hotel quarantine since their arrival. |
| The Chinese embassy has released a statement on the Australian government’s decision to not send any officials to the Beijing Olympics. | The Chinese embassy has released a statement on the Australian government’s decision to not send any officials to the Beijing Olympics. |
| The statement bemoans the decision, quotes an old saying and blames Australia for the tense relationship: | The statement bemoans the decision, quotes an old saying and blames Australia for the tense relationship: |